519 replies to this topic

[aastra]

Tempus mutatio.

[aastra]

There are a couple of highrise buildings in their portfolio that stand out a bit from their typical stuff. That's all I'm hoping for. I'm not bashing Concert. Most of the time I really like their lowrise buildings. But their towers tend to lack distinction. I'm actually disappointed with Era. I'd say it's the blandest of the crop so far in Victoria. It's just too ordinary.

Edited by aastra, 09 June 2015 - 10:01 AM.

[Nparker]

....I'm actually disappointed with Era. I'd say it's the blandest of the crop so far in Victoria. It's just too ordinary.

But still it's 1000 times better than the whole in the ground that it replaced. Sure it sort of "fits in too well", but it could have been so much worse.

[aastra]

For sure. Even though I wish the design were sharper I'm still very pleased that Era is there. And I'd be happy to have the same style of building in some other locations around town. But if the Crystal Court site doesn't merit better then what site does?

[Nparker]

... I'd be happy to have the same style of building in some other locations around town...

You're getting your wish, at least in one other location: it's called Hudson Walk 

[aastra]

So is this one going to be by the same architect as Era/Hudson Walk? If so, I hope they do less Era and more Pomaria:

http://www.rafiiarch...om/pomaria.html

[VicHockeyFan]

I thought these condo/senior homes did not sell at all well?

[Nparker]

I thought these condo/senior homes did not sell at all well?

Perhaps that is why the latest proposal for this site is heavily weighted towards rentals?

[Rob Randall]

Can you repost that image for today's open house? This forum software hates quoting pictures.

[VicHockeyFan]

 

 

[Hotel Mike]

I'm sorry,but it's hard to see that site as being part of James Bay. James Bay should start at Superior. Crystal Court is downtown.

[G-Man]

The borders of the neighbourhoods are long overdue for a redraw.

[lanforod]

Or elimination...

[Mike K.]

Don't forget James Bay wants to succede.

[Nparker]

Don't forget James Bay wants to succeed.

Can they take Mason Street with them?

[Mike K.]

I'm hearing the architecture is nothing like what Westbank envisioned.

[AllseeingEye]

Wan't Westbank more glass and steel-ish? In that case are we now in for a Victoria "red brick" special?

 

Honestly I do shake my head sometimes when I hear the terms 'Victoria' and 'world class' used in the same sentence; how many years or decades in some cases (i.e. Janion or Northern Junk) does this city require to mull and fuss and stew and get its collective knickers in a twist before they finally pass and approve development proposals that in the rest of the developed world are very modest in terms of physical massing and *especially* height -  when places like Seattle or Portland or Calgary or Vancouver would typically plan, develop, approve and build them in a minute fraction of the time. And without the hysteria....

 

Is their any city that can foam at the mouth like Victoria over, for example, a 5-storey building (N-J)? Wasn't the Westbank proposal for Crystal Court originally something like 16-17 stories? Opponents made it sound like an Empire State-like behemoth was being contemplated based on the volume of the moaning and b*****g. Seriously you can't make this stuff up.

 

I was posting on a local FB group the other night and engaged in a spirited debate with someone who was in an absolute tizzy because (horrors) a Vancouver developer has purchased the Old English Inn site in Esquimalt because, as she railed hysterically "......they're sure to turn it into another Manhattan!" Uh...um....the same Manhattan with a resident population of 2.5 million people and world renowned, iconic 100++ storey skyscrapers? That Manhattan? Good god, exaggerate much? The hyperbole here really is over the top sometimes.

 

I don't see how many stories this latest proposal encompasses; but you can bet the mortgage payment though if its anything more than about 6-8 floors the JBNA and their good pal mizz Madoff will go bonkers. I bet this will be lots of fun to watch unfold.

[Nparker]

I couldn't have said it better myself AsE.  When it comes to cutting-edge architecture, Victoria IS world class, unfortunately it's the 3rd world.

[Mixed365]

Wan't Westbank more glass and steel-ish? In that case are we now in for a Victoria "red brick" special?

 

Honestly I do shake my head sometimes when I hear the terms 'Victoria' and 'world class' used in the same sentence; how many years or decades in some cases (i.e. Janion or Northern Junk) does this city require to mull and fuss and stew and get its collective knickers in a twist before they finally pass and approve development proposals that in the rest of the developed world are very modest in terms of physical massing and *especially* height -  when places like Seattle or Portland or Calgary or Vancouver would typically plan, develop, approve and build them in a minute fraction of the time. And without the hysteria....

 

Is their any city that can foam at the mouth like Victoria over, for example, a 5-storey building (N-J)? Wasn't the Westbank proposal for Crystal Court originally something like 16-17 stories? Opponents made it sound like an Empire State-like behemoth was being contemplated based on the volume of the moaning and b*****g. Seriously you can't make this stuff up.

 

I was posting on a local FB group the other night and engaged in a spirited debate with someone who was in an absolute tizzy because (horrors) a Vancouver developer has purchased the Old English Inn site in Esquimalt because, as she railed hysterically "......they're sure to turn it into another Manhattan!" Uh...um....the same Manhattan with a resident population of 2.5 million people and world renowned, iconic 100++ storey skyscrapers? That Manhattan? Good god, exaggerate much? The hyperbole here really is over the top sometimes.

 

I don't see how many stories this latest proposal encompasses; but you can bet the mortgage payment though if its anything more than about 6-8 floors the JBNA and their good pal mizz Madoff will go bonkers. I bet this will be lots of fun to watch unfold.

...could she have meant the leaky "Manhattan" by BOSA on Yates street?

[D.L.]

A new discussion for the new proposal - http://vibrantvictor...oreys-proposed/